My first ? Delta 1010LT Mono, Stereo Monitoring?

[brianlyons]

My first question.

First the description of the current set up:

I'm using a M Audio Delta 1010LT sound card. I have set it up according to the manual where the 1/2 outs go to a powered set of speakers for monitoring. In the Patchbay/Router I have choosen Monitor Mixer under H/W Out 1/2. My input to the card is a Sure SM57 routed though Mic Pre where the single XLR out on the choosen mic pre amp channel is attached to the right XLR input 1/2 on the Delta 1010.

My question is actually two questions: am I supposed to record guitar using a mono track, or a stereo track? How for both? If I want to record in mono, why am I not able to monitor in stereo? With the current setup I only hear the input on the right channel during monitoring. Using the current set up, the Delta's monitor mixer the H/W 1/2 right input is the only one that has a signal as I would expect, but I am confused as to why I cannot monitor the signal in both speakers of the headphones or external speakers on the powered monitor. It seems like I might have to use two micrphones to supply both left and right inputs on the card with a signal. I'm confused. Sigh....!

Follow up: I figured out how to monitor/hear this mono track in stereo using the pan on the monitor mixer. Still I am not sure about the differences of recording stereo and mono tracks or if I am approaching this the right way or not. Also, if I record a mono track on the right side would I then have to go back and over dub to get a guitar on the left side?

[kredd]

hey brianlyons, i had this card a looong time ago so i apologize in advance for my bad memory. i actually handed it down to my brother who runs his mic into a mixer that has only one 1/4" output and he's able to monitor his mono input with stereo output. when i had it set up myself i ran my mic into a mixer and then went out mono xlr into the card but i think i connected to the LEFT xlr input and not the right.

i never had a prob monitoring in stereo. are both channels 1 & 2 on your H/W Out registering a signal or just the right? have you tried changing your monitoring settings from monitor mixer to line(might be called something else, again bad memory, but there should a second option above or below the "monitor mixer" option)?

you definetly want to record guitars in mono. i actually record everything (gtrs, bass,vocals,drums) in mono and then pan each track as needed with a stereo mix.

if i understood you correctly be careful with how you said you fixed your monitoring problem by panning as it may cause problems with proper playback and mixing later.

this may be a long shot but you may or may not have an option called "sum to mono" - so if you can't get your inputs figured out you may be able record the right channel and "sum" both sides of the stereo track to mono. not sure how it will sound with the one channel completely empty but it might be easier than copying all the right channels over to the left. altho it might be the best idea all together with your situation.

FYI, be really really REALLY careful with the input/output cables. as you can see they are very thin and tiny and WILL get damaged way too easy. my outputs are all but ruined and i took pretty good care of them. i would nail those bad boys down and never move them if possible. once mine went bad i think i spent more time trying to get the wires to work than i did recording.

i loved having that card, it was great, but the input/output wires are, to me, its weakness. i hope something in the extremely long post helps

[brandondrury]

am I supposed to record guitar using a mono track, or a stereo track?

There are no rules.

You can record a single mono track and put it in the center, the far left, the far right, or anywhere in between.

You can record 2 mono tracks and pan them hard to each side (I do this often).

You could put up two mics and record stereo.

Just remember that a mono track doesn't mean the recording itself is mono. It just means you need to pan it to make the mix stereo.

Brandon

[brianlyons]

hey guy's,

Originally Posted by kredd

are both channels 1 & 2 on your H/W Out registering a signal or just the right? ?

I think the setup might be okay now because H/W 1 & 2 is showing a signal
only on the right channel. On the Master Volume monitor, the signal shows up in both left and right because of the panning done on H/W 1 & 2 right input. When I move the pan on the H/W 1 & 2 input it does cause the Master Volume monitor to have a signal in the left channel but not the H/W 1 & 2 channel. I think this panning is correct and seems to only affect the monitoring and not the actual input channel according to the LEDS , but of course I ain't positively sure!

If you explain the significance of the quote above maybe I will know if I got it right or not.

I also tried this on the left XLR input of the card and its the same case for both sides.

I'm going to try the one mic approach in mono to start.

Long posts are not a problem for me if they're not a problem for you.

Very helpful indeed. Thanks!

Brian

[brandondrury]

When I move the pan on the H/W 1 & 2 input it does cause the Master Volume monitor to have a signal in the left channel but not the H/W 1 & 2 channel. I think this panning is correct and seems to only affect the monitoring and not the actual input channel according to the LEDS , but of course I ain't positively sure!

This sounds correct to me.

Long posts are not a problem for me if they're not a problem for you.

This may be the shortest post I've ever made.